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Modern Lighting

MODERN STYLE

The late 19th and early 20th centuries saw sweeping social change and major scientific advances — both of which contributed to a new aesthetic: modernism. Rejecting the rigidity of Victorian artistic conventions, modernists sought a new means of expression. References to the natural world and ornate classical embellishments gave way to the sleek simplicity of the Machine Age. Architect Philip Johnson characterized the hallmarks of modernism as “machine-like simplicity, smoothness or surface [and] avoidance of ornament.”

Early practitioners of modernist design include the De Stijl (“The Style”) group, founded in the Netherlands in 1917, and the Bauhaus School, founded two years later in Germany.

Followers of both groups produced sleek, spare designs — many of which became icons of daily life in the 20th century. The modernists rejected both natural and historical references and relied primarily on industrial materials such as metal, glass, plywood, and, later, plastics. While Bauhaus principals Marcel Breuer and Ludwig Mies van der Rohe created furniture from mass-produced, chrome-plated steel, American visionaries like Charles and Ray Eames worked in materials as novel as molded plywood and fiberglass. Today, Breuer’s Wassily chair, Mies van der Rohe’s Barcelona chaircrafted with his romantic partner, designer Lilly Reich — and the Eames lounge chair are emblems of progressive design and vintage originals are prized cornerstones of collections.

It’s difficult to overstate the influence that modernism continues to wield over designers and architects — and equally difficult to overstate how revolutionary it was when it first appeared a century ago. But because modernist furniture designs are so simple, they can blend in seamlessly with just about any type of décor. Don’t overlook them.

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Style: Modern
Tubetop 14 Table Lamp in Charcoal by Pablo Designs
Located in San Francisco, CA
A minimalist statement in form and proportion, Tube Top combines a transparent formed acrylic base to support its elegant mesh fabric shade in tension, steering away from conventiona...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Lighting

Materials

Acrylic, Polyester

Pair of Glass and Brass Esperia Table Lamps
Located in Saint-Ouen, IDF
Pair of table lamps made by Esperia, each made of a triangular foot in blown clear glass, with a streak of dark grey in the center. Some air bubbles are visible in the glass, which i...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Lighting

Materials

Brass

Murano glass pendant lamp with silver inclusions
Located in Lugo, IT
Murano glass pendant lamp with silver inclusions. Good condition. Thank you
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Modern Lighting

Materials

Murano Glass

Angle Indoor/Outdoor Matte Black Wet-Rated Sconce/Light
Located in Los Angeles, CA
The Angle is a sculptural wall light in cast aluminum. A sweeping arc of light is carved into the face of the fixture bringing balance to its Brutalist form. The casting is finished to a smooth texture and is available in silver, bronze or matte black finish, and is wet rated...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Lighting

Materials

Aluminum, Silver Plate

Floor lamp model Aggregato, designer Enzo Mari, production Artemide
Located in Busnago, IT
Adjustable floor lamp Aggregate model. Artemide Production, Designer Enzo Mari and Giancarlo Fassina lamp produced in the 1970s has a burn on the plastic tube due to the heating of ...
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Modern Lighting

Materials

Metal

Flute Narrow Shade Ceramic Table Lamp, Green Satin Glaze, by Kalin Asenov
Located in Savannah, GA
FLUTE_narrow November Green Glaze Please note that this listing includes the table base and finial. Light bulbs are included with the lamp. If you would like the shade shown in the ...
Category

2010s American Modern Lighting

Materials

Ceramic

Pink Murano Glass Flush Mount
Located in Saint-Ouen, IDF
Large flush mount fixture made of a pink Murano glass center plate and small leaves all around.
Category

2010s Italian Modern Lighting

Materials

Metal

Tenfold Linear Pendant Light 3TA 45", chromate finish, brutalist, chandelier
Located in Brooklyn, NY
TENFOLD LINEAR PENDANT 3TA 45INCH in IRIDESCENT CHROMATE FINISH by Luft Tanaka Studio 45inch(as shown): 45 x 15 x 11.25"h / 114 x 38 x 29cm h. Dimensions can be customized. Also a...
Category

2010s American Modern Lighting

Materials

Aluminum, Brass, Steel

Vistosi MiniGiogali PL 60 Ceiling Light by Angelo Mangiarotti
Located in Mogliano Veneto, Treviso
The reduced version of Giogali uses glass hooks for smaller wall installations, standard or custom-made Specifications: Light Source: E26 No of Bulbs: 4×60W E26 Dimmer: DIM 1 ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Lighting

Materials

Glass

Zeta Ceiling Light by Gaspare Asaro-Bronze Finish
Located in New York, NY
The Zeta ceiling light features a composition of variable sized Murano glass shades methodically balanced on a “V” shaped brass frame. The first images show the fixture in our bronzo...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Lighting

Materials

Brass

Bolesław Danikowski pair of ceramic sconces
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
a pair of ceramic sconces by Boleslaw Danikowski for Guillerme et Chambron
Category

20th Century French Modern Lighting

Materials

Ceramic, Milk Glass

2-Tier Counterbalance Chandelier in Brass Enamel, Blueprint Lighting
Located in New York, NY
Introducing the Counterbalance 2-Tier chandelier, a smaller but equally stunning version of our best-selling Counterbalance. The fixture draws inspiration from French and Italian mod...
Category

2010s American Modern Lighting

Materials

Brass, Bronze, Enamel, Nickel

Modern Satin Brass Sarah Ceiling Pendant in Tan Leather 18" Drum
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Composed of a hand-sewn leather drum fitted between a satin brass top and bottom ring, the Sarah can be customized with the drop height that is right for your space and the pipe can ...
Category

2010s American Modern Lighting

Materials

Brass

Pair of outdoor lamps in brass and glass
Located in Lugo, IT
Pair of brass and glass outdoor lamps Good condition. Thank you
Category

1980s Italian Vintage Modern Lighting

Materials

Brass

ADesignStudio Greenway A1 Pendant Light Minimal Nautical Form Acrylic Diffuser
Located in Banksmeadow, NSW
ADesignStudio Greenway A1 Pendant Light – Minimalist Fixture Inspired by Maritime Architecture Listed price reflects starting point only. Final pricing varies based on selected fini...
Category

2010s Australian Modern Lighting

Materials

Aluminum, Brass

Y Mini Pendant Light, by Research.Lighting, Black, 3in Glass, Made to Order
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This listing is for 1x Y Mini Pendant Light designed and manufactured by Research.Lighting. Materials: Steel, Glass Finish: Powder Coated Steel in black Electronics: 2x G9 Sockets,...
Category

2010s American Modern Lighting

Materials

Metal

FLOS Taraxacum 1 Pendant Light by Achille Pier Giacomo Castiglioni
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Make a wish: Named after the humble Dandelion, the Taraxacum pendant light astonishes with a gorgeously diffused blooming light. The white powder coated internal steel structure is s...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Lighting

Materials

Steel

ARC Wall Lamp or Sconce in Green Enamel Blown Glass by Blueprint Lighting
Located in New York, NY
The ARC wall lamp or by Blueprint Lighting is a dramatically overscaled study in clean lines and simple form inspired by the tenets of the Bauhaus, ARC is truly a go-anywhere design ...
Category

2010s American Modern Lighting

Materials

Brass, Bronze, Chrome, Nickel, Enamel

Large “Galba II” Wall Sconce in White Plaster with Linear Relief Finish
Located in Freiburg im Breisgau, DE
The Large “Galba II” Wall Sconce is a contemporary lighting sculpture and part of Benediko’s Galba Collection — a series of hand-sculpted lighting objects available in different col...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary German Modern Lighting

Materials

Metal

Candelera 02 by Federico Stefanovich
Located in Mexico City, MX
Candelera 02 is a large-format mobile light sculpture made of steel. In addition to presenting itself as a sculptural composition, its starting point is c...
Category

2010s Mexican Modern Lighting

Materials

Steel

Geometric Murano Glass Table Lamps
Located in Austin, TX
Pair of lamps made of handblown glass from Murano. Each lamp is made of five stacked pieces of geometric glass with a frosted effect. They are supported by clear glass bases. Each la...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Lighting

Materials

Murano Glass

Vintage Glass and New Hammered Brass Modern Sconce or Flush Mount Light
Located in Houston, TX
The light is our design and is made from Limburg vintage glass globes and hammered brass backs. They are newly wired in the US and may be used as a...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Lighting

Materials

Brass

Murano Blown Glass Suspension Lamp, Glass and Fine Brushed Brass
Located in Venice, IT
The creations of Barovier&Toso are one-of-a-kind works in Venetian mouth blown and handcrafted by master artisans in Murano, custodians of an age-old tradition passed down across the...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Lighting

Materials

Brass

Clear Textured Murano Glass with Brass Setting
Located in Saint-Ouen, IDF
Tall cleared textured Murano glass wall sconces with light bronze finished brass setting. Three lights per sconce. Price per sconce
Category

2010s Italian Modern Lighting

Materials

Brass

Bicentric Wall Sconce in Natural Brass Green Enamel Mesh, Blueprint Lighting
Located in New York, NY
The Bicentric wall sconce is a playful 21st century spin on mid-century French modernism, featuring two spun metal mesh shades. Once installed, t...
Category

2010s American Modern Lighting

Materials

Brass, Enamel, Bronze

Fold Table Lamp, Led Sculptural Modern Light, Bronze patina / Calacatta Viola
Located in Broadmeadows, Victoria
Inspired by the angular architecture and dark moods of Ridley Scott’s 1982 masterpiece Blade Runner, the Fold Table Lamp deploys folded aluminum fins to reflect an ambient glow forwa...
Category

2010s Australian Modern Lighting

Materials

Marble, Brass

Murano Glass Leave Flush Mount or Ceiling Lights
Located in Rome, IT
This ceiling light realized in pure Murano glass leaves with gold intrusion. Available also with clear graniglia leaves. Amazing 24-carat gold-plated structure and canopy. This beaut...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Lighting

Materials

Glass

Glustin Luminaires Pear Shaped Brass Table Lamps and Alabaster Shades
Located in Saint-Ouen, IDF
Table lamps made of pear shaped brass feet inspired by the 1950s and topped with an alabaster lamp shade. Designed by Glustin Luminaires Can be bought separately, price display...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Lighting

Materials

Alabaster, Brass

Tekna Montrose Wall C Light with Dark Bronze Finish and Clear Glass
Located in New York, NY
Hanging wall light in dark bronze with pagoda structure and handle (eyelet) with outside fitted clear glass and water-resistant cable entry. Provided with a two-part wall bracket, with adjustable horizontal upper arm, in black smith...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Belgian Modern Lighting

Materials

Bronze

1971 Black “Parentesi” Suspension Floor Lamps by Achille Castiglioni Pio Manzu
Located in Palm Springs, CA
Pair of 1970’s Black “Parentesi” suspensions floor lamps by Achille Castiglioni Pio Manzu. Can be adjusted by moving up and down on the suspended cable. In original vintage c...
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Modern Lighting

Materials

Steel

Robert Sonneman for George Kovacs Orbit Chandelier, 1987
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
An interesting and elegant chandelier by Robert Sonneman for George Kovacs, 1987. Very well constructed, brass, glass, exposed wiring...
Category

1980s American Vintage Modern Lighting

Modern Vintage Blue Balloon Flushmount Sconce Yves Christin Bilumen, Italy 1980s
Located in Vienna, AT
Modern vintage blue flushmount or sconce, which is colorful and nice. Yves Christin designed the iconic lighting for Bilumen Italy in the 1980s. The flus...
Category

Late 20th Century Italian Modern Lighting

Materials

Plastic

Flos Parentesi Pendant Light in Black by Achille Castiglioni Pio Manzu
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Borne out of a 1971 collaboration between Achille Castiglioni and Pio Manzù, the Parentesi was named for the parenthesis symbol, a visual reference to the nickel-plated shaped tube t...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Lighting

Materials

Steel

Italian modern white yellow Murano glass table lamp Grande Rio Giusto Toso 1970s
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian modern white yellow Murano glass table lamp Grande Rio Giusto Toso 1970s Table lamp mod. Grande Rio with round base in opaline white Murano glass. The structure is conical, t...
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Modern Lighting

Materials

Metal

Wabi-Sabi Ceramic Table Lamp with Textured Base and Soft Paper Shade
Located in Pasadena, CA
This handcrafted ceramic table lamp is designed with intention and a love for natural beauty. It features a raw, textured surface that highlights all those little imperfections—total...
Category

2010s American Modern Lighting

Materials

Metal

Established Sons Glossy Black Corona Pendant Light by Pam West Matt Edmonds
Located in London, GB
Design behind this beautiful piece is produced by Frank : a creative partnership of Pam West and Matt Edmonds. Cable length: 150 cm. Weight: 16 kg. Lighting: 220/240 V.
Category

21st Century and Contemporary English Modern Lighting

Brass and Glass Cascade Chandelier
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Gorgeous Brass and Glass Cascade Chandelier by Visual Comfort. Very unusual in style and of very nice quality. Perfect in a special bedroom ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Lighting

Materials

Brass

Soleil Floor Lamp - Talisman Series
Located in New York, NY
Soleil Floor Lamp is part of our Talisman Series—a collection born from the desire to reawaken ancient symbols of goodness and weave them into the spaces we inhabit. Each piece in th...
Category

2010s American Modern Lighting

Materials

Aluminum, Bronze

Murano Glass Teal Geometric TOTEM Lamps
Located in Austin, TX
Murano glass teal geometric TOTEM lamps in a beautiful and striking blue-green hue. We love the hand blown glass elements and bold impact of this pair....
Category

2010s Italian Modern Lighting

Materials

Murano Glass

Murano Glass Pink and Silver “Macchie” Sconces
Located in Austin, TX
Pair of wall sconces from Murano island outside of Venice, Italy. This pair features two pieces of hand-blown glass layered and held in place by brass finials on a brass structure. T...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Lighting

Materials

Brass, Silver Leaf

Set/2 Modern Table Lamps, Ceramic, Silk Lampshade, Handmade Portugal, Greenapple
Located in Lisboa, PT
Set of 2 Gomes table lamps, Modern Collection, Handcrafted in Portugal - Europe by GF Modern. Gomes is an elegant table lamp and an attractive addition to a modern home. The white c...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Lighting

Materials

Ceramic, Wood

Adjustable Chrome Floor Lamp by Casella
Located in Palm Springs, CA
1970’s adjustable polish chrome floor lamp design by Casella. Can be rotated 360* and can be lower down to 39.25”or extend up to 54.25” high. It has a full range dimmer built in ...
Category

1970s American Vintage Modern Lighting

Materials

Chrome

Finnish 1930 s wrought iron floor lamp
Located in Turku, Varsinais-Suomi
Elevate your living space with this exquisite Finnish 1930's wrought iron floor lamp, attributed to the renowned Taidetakomo Hakkarainen. Its green faded color offers a touch of vint...
Category

Early 20th Century Finnish Modern Lighting

Materials

Wrought Iron

Parchment, Brass and Glass Table Lamp by Diego Mardegan for Glustin Luminaires
Located in Saint-Ouen, IDF
Ventola table lamp by the artist Diego Mardegan exclusively for Glustin Luminaires. Beautiful two ways shade made of a brass structure, parchemin paper and waxed fabric hold by an...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Lighting

Materials

Brass

1980s Modern Murano Glass and Metal Italian Big Wall Sconces by Leucos
Located in Aci Castello, IT
These sleek and elegant 1980s modern wall sconces by Leucos showcase the exquisite craftsmanship of Murano glass by Renato Toso. The cylindrical forms are crafted from glossy white M...
Category

Late 20th Century Italian Modern Lighting

Materials

Metal

Casa Wall Light No3
Located in Macieira de Sarnes, PT
CASA WALL LIGHT No3, designed in 2023. Artisanal ceramic light with textured finish, made in Project 213A's own ceramic workshop. Each piece is unique due to its handmade nature, sh...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Lighting

Materials

Ceramic

Bonnie Config 1 Small, Contemporary LED Linear Chandelier, Solid Brass
Located in Torslanda, SE
The Bonnie range is designed around the stylised form of a Saffron flower, known around the world for its valuable beauty, fragrance and essence. Each organic flower-like form is st...
Category

2010s Scandinavian Modern Lighting

Materials

Brass

Modern Iron and Tan Leather Grace Articulating Wall Sconce, Hardwired
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Celebrated for its striking composition and versatility, the Grace Articulating Wall Sconce is a true hallmark of ingenuity in lighting design. As handsome as it is useful, this hardwired sconce...
Category

2010s American Modern Lighting

Materials

Brass, Steel

Lee Broom - Solstice Trio Pendant
Located in New York, NY
Solstice references the prehistoric monument Stonehenge and its spiritual rituals around the Summer and Winter Solstices. The illuminated opaque glass globe of Solstice alludes to th...
Category

2010s British Modern Lighting

Materials

Brass

Hand-carved White Onyx Wall Sconces with Natural Dark Veins
Located in Stratford, CT
This is an all Onyx ambient sconce, with a high and surprising contrast in luminosity. When lit, the light accentuates the differences in the transluce...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Mexican Modern Lighting

Materials

Onyx

Pair of Table Lamps in Patinated Brass and Alabaster.
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Pair of table lamps in patinated brass and alabaster. A pair of designer table lamps finished in antique brass that emit a warm, welcoming glow. Natural alabaster ensures that each ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary French Modern Lighting

Materials

Brass

Pair of Edipo Table Lamps by Barbaglia Colombo for PAF
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pair of 'Edipo' table lamps by Barbaglia & Colombo for PAF. Designed and manufactured in Italy, circa 1980s. Plastic, methacrylate, and fabric make up this composition. We recommend ...
Category

1980s Italian Vintage Modern Lighting

Materials

Fabric, Plastic, Acrylic

Louis Poulsen, Extra Large Glass Artichoke Chandelier by Poul Henningsen
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Louis Poulsen, extra large glass Artichoke chandelier by Poul Henningsen. Measures: Width 840 x height 720 x length 840(mm) Material: Le...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Danish Modern Lighting

Materials

Metal

ADesignStudio Macchiato W1 Sculptural Blown Glass Wall Light
Located in Banksmeadow, NSW
ADesignStudio Macchiato W1 Wall Light – Sculptural Blown Glass Fixture with Layered Form and IP55 Rating Listed price reflects starting point only. Final pricing varies based on selected finishes and customisations. Please get in touch with our team to discuss finish options available for this product. The Macchiato W1 Wall Light by ADesignStudio is a sculptural lighting piece created in collaboration with Australian designer Adam Goodrum...
Category

2010s Australian Modern Lighting

Materials

Aluminum, Brass

Tenfold Chandelier 5T 18inch Waxed Aluminum Pendant Light, customizable
Located in Brooklyn, NY
TENFOLD CHANDELIER 5 TIER by Luft Tanaka Studio Composed of interlocking mirror polished sheetmetal panels, the Tenfold Series is inspired by the aesthetics, architectural styles, a...
Category

2010s American Modern Lighting

Materials

Aluminum, Brass, Steel

Pair of Modernist Fume and Golden Murano Glass Wall Sconces
Located in Saint-Ouen, IDF
Pair of modern wall sconces made of three Murano glass parts, gold circle, ridge square and long grey smoked plate.   
Category

2010s Italian Modern Lighting

Materials

Glass

Large Textured Smoked Murano Glass and Brass Wall Sconces
Located in Saint-Ouen, IDF
A sophisticated modern wall sconce, featuring a sculptural assembly of textured glass panels mounted around a central brass structure. The lamp is composed of two vertically curved g...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Lighting

Materials

Brass

Mashobra Floor Lamp in Brass, Viya by Vikram Goyal
Located in Noida, DL
Mashobra Floor Lamp in Brass, Viya by Vikram Goyal Welcome to the captivating realm of the Enchanting Indian Garden, where fragrant blossoms become living echoes of ancient history,...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Asian Modern Lighting

Materials

Brass

DeCastelli Dafne Demetra Lamp in Stainless Steel by Ludovica/Roberto Palomba
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Partition, lamp or planter, these bright objects can decorate indoor and outdoor spaces. Three different functions come together in a single element characterized by a refined geomet...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Lighting

Materials

Stainless Steel

Wave Paterned and Textured Murano Glass Wall Sconces
Located in Saint-Ouen, IDF
Tubular wall sconces made of a piece of Murano glass with waves patterns and rough texture inside making the clear glass not to transparent and diffuse the light of the three bulbs i...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Lighting

Materials

Brass

Modern lighting for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Modern lighting for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the 21st Century and Contemporary, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage lighting created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include lighting, decorative objects, serveware, ceramics, silver and glass and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with metal, glass and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Modern lighting made in a specific country, there are Europe, Italy, and North America pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original lighting, popular names associated with this style include Vistosi, Artemide, Flos, and DOOQ. It’s true that these talented designers have at times inspired knockoffs, but our experienced specialists have partnered with only top vetted sellers to offer authentic pieces that come with a buyer protection guarantee.

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